From Thanos to Deadpool: 6 Marvel Characters Inspired By DC Comics

They Have Similar Powers But Appeared Years Later

This article originally appeared on Moviepilot.com and, while we think the headline is a tad overstated, the similarities and original of these similar characters were made publishing this feature worthwhile in our opinion.

The write stresses his Marvel fandom and wants us to focus on the history of these characters rather than pour more fuel on the ‘which comic universe is better’ article. That’s all fine and well with us, but using words like stole seems a nit like bringing a flamethrower to a campfire to us. All that said, we found the character comparisons to interesting.

Now, over the years there has been a few characters to come out of Marvel that have been suspiciously close to those of DC Comics’, and not small ones at that. Marvel are definitely not the only ones guilty of a bit of attribute borrowing as can be seen from DC’s clear doppelganger of “The Lizard”, “Killer Croc.” It can go both ways and I’m sure a lot of people will have different opinions and that’s great. Please feel free to leave your comments and opinions in the comment section at the bottom of the page.

6.) Deadpool = Deathstroke

The facts: Let’s start with the most obvious and widely accepted character semblance on the list: Deadpool. He is the Merc With the Mouth that we all love, but he is also (like only Deadpool can) a flagrant, unashamed, rip-off of another character; DC Comic’s Deathstroke. Deadpool’s first appearance was in “New Mutants #98” (Feb. 1991) and Deathstroke’s was in “The New Teen Titans (vol. 1) #2” way back in 1980.

Both genetically enhanced ex-soldiers who are now mercenaries for hire/pleasure, it is easy to see the similarities in Deadpool and Deathstroke. But just in case anyone had any doubts, the creators took the full plunge and even went as far as to name Deadpool after Deathstroke’s real name “Slade Wilson” and call him “Wade Wilson” as a sort of nod to their undeniable inspiration. Over the years they have differentiated themselves by Deadpool basically evolving into a crazier version of Spider-Man’s personality and attitude, with an insane healing factor, and by Deathstroke just by generally being an un-killable, relentless, one-man army and a stone cold bad**s!

5.) Quicksilver = The Flash/Quicksilver (Max Mercury)

The facts: The original Flash’s first appearance was in in Flash Comics #1 (January 1940). Quicksilver’s first appearance was in X-Men #4 (March 1964). The lightning bolt theme is also very noticeable but obviously most of all is the fact that they are both “speedsters” and much like another entry further up this list, is also what I like to call an “inevitable character scheme.” Meaning, that something like being super fast is just going to inevitably end up in a lot of character ideas. I mean, it is one of the big ones, up there with super strength, power of flight, and invisibility.

There are obvious differences: The Flash got his powers in an accident whereas Quicksilver is the son of Magneto, born a mutant (even though Marvel retconned this origin recently). Even though that is a pretty big difference in character origins, I am still calling theft on this one as Marvel knew what they were doing. They had 24 years to come up with a character just different enough to not get sued and when they started the X-Men series they knew a mutant birth was the perfect answer to their problems. Purely speculation of course, but it just seems too perfect.

It could also be said that he is a rip off of another character as there was a speedster called “Quicksilver” that first appeared in 1940 but it seems like just too much of an obvious one.

4.) The Avengers = The Justice League (or at least the concept)

The facts: In Febuary-March 1960, inside the covers of “The Brave and the Bold #28” a team of superheroes hit the shelves from publishers “National Periodical Publications” or as we know them today, DC Comics; That team was “The Justice League”, and that team was about to change everything…

Not only were they responsible for the creation of the Fantastic Four as you can see from the reports below –

The title’s early success was indirectly responsible for the creation of the Fantastic Four. In his autobiography Stan Lee relates how in 1961, during a round of golf, DC publisher Jack Liebowitz mentioned to Marvel-Timely owner Martin Goodman how well DC’s new book (Justice League) was selling. Later that day Goodman, a publishing trend-follower aware of the JLA’s strong sales, told Lee, his comics editor, to come up with a team of superheroes for Marvel. According to Lee in Origins of Marvel Comics:

“Martin mentioned that he had noticed one of the titles published by National Comics seemed to be selling better than most. It was a book called The Justice League of America and it was composed of a team of superheroes. … ‘ If the Justice League is selling ‘, spoke he, “why don’t we put out a comic book that features a team of superheroes?”

Goodman directed his comics editor, Stan Lee, to create a comic-book series about a team of superheroes. Lee and Jack Kirby produced the Fantastic Four.

But, they were also the business trend that inspired Marvel, in 1963 to put together there own team of powerhouses to create what we now know as The Avengers. This is a widely known and (at least by those who research) a non-debated fact. And, as you can see in the first picture (of The Justice League & The Avengers) above, it’s not the only thing that Marvel took inspiration when it came to character development over the years.

Obviously at the moment, thanks to the blockbuster hit that the MCU has been it is The Avengers who are undoubtedly more known by the popcorn-stuffing-ticket-grabbers and the general public/people who don’t read comics (civilians) out there. However, I do personally think (if done right) the The Justice League movies and DCCU are going to show The Avengers and MCU films for what they are… The kids version. That doesn’t make them bad, not at all. They are like bubblegum and candy; delicious but after a while you just want some meat! (DCCU (If done right)).

Next Page: Top 3 Marvel Characters Inspired by DC

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